Chukwu is the best candidate, Pro-Chancellor insists
Five days after his appointment, the Federal Government has rescinded the decision to appoint Prof. Lucian Chukwu as the substantive Vice Chancellor of Admiralty University, Ibuzor, Delta State.

In a statement by the Federal Ministry of Education yesterday, the government admitted erring in the appointment of Prof. Chukwu as VC of the institution.

However, a chronicle of events leading to the final selection of the VC, as detailed by the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of ADUN, Vice Admiral J.D. Ezeoba, shows Prof. Chukwu as the most outstanding, scoring 83.41 per cent, compared to Prof. Christopher Ogbogbo’s 72.5 per cent.

The statement, signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, instead announced Prof. Christopher Ogbogbo’s appointment as the substantive Vice-Chancellor.

According to the statement, the Federal Ministry of Education explained that it was setting the record straight regarding the recent appointment of the substantive Vice-Chancellor of Admiralty University of Nigeria, Ibuzor, Delta State. Contrary to recent misleading reports, the Ministry later discovered, as a fact, that due process was meticulously followed in the selection process culminating in the appointment of Prof. Christopher B.N. Ogbogbo as the substantive VC.

The statement reads: “Following a thorough review of the selection process, subsequent ministerial intervention and in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to merit and fairness, the Ministry confirms that Prof. Christopher B.N. Ogbogbo is the most eligible candidate for the position of substantive Vice Chancellor of ADUN.

“Additionally, the Federal Ministry of Education has equally noted the declassification of the Council’s 21st Extraordinary Meeting Report of February 26 and 27, 2025, which is designed to promote full transparency.”

Ezeoba, in a memo to the President, dated March 3, 2025, detailed that the KPMG and Joint Selection Committee-led process was transparent and merit-based, with three finalists presented to the Governing Council for confirmation of the VC.

The Pro Chancellor, however, noted that the selection process got controversial with some members of the Council demanding suspension of merit and that the most qualified candidate should not be the VC.